By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The Facebook posting of a photo (shown here) of the groundbreaking for the Madison St. Plaza six years ago today brought a bushel-basket full of flashbacks.
For instance, the delays. One of them was forced by the fact that contractors throughout the area were so busy that when the plaza specs were put out, the city received just one bid. And it was way, way over what anyone anticipated.
A sobering moment stabbed a great idea.
Then there was the need for funds. While it’s never easy to raise six figures of funds, this one required – and received – the eagerness of local businesses and individuals who take pride in their community. They came through!
Not forgotten, either, is the determination of a whole bunch of city officials. Simply put, it was too good of an idea to allow it to fade away with the summer weather. Every setback – and there were a few — was pushed back.
Then there’s this memory, now sort of laughable: In the beginning, way back at the start, the idea was to spruce up the block of Madison St. between First and Second streets with some street pavers, a few trees, benches, and the like.
The block would remain open to traffic during the day and be set up so it could be easily blocked off for concerts and whatever else.
Then, someone – can’t remember who – said, “Wait a minute. If we allow traffic during the day, some old truck might come by and dump oil on the street. Or any vehicle for that matter.”
And then someone else brought up the likelihood of tire marks on the street from a vehicle’s sudden stop or start.
It didn’t take long to drop the idea of having the street open to traffic … at any time!
For a look back, here is something we wrote in late July of 2016, under the title “Waiting … and hoping”:
“Plans for the Madison St. Plaza, unveiled at the latest city council meeting, provided a bit of a ‘wow’ factor. The project would convert Madison St., between First and Second streets, into an events center where most downtown activities would be held.
“With the growing number of events being staged downtown, the plaza idea certainly seems to be a perfect fit.
“Benches and trees would be added, along with special lighting and a sound system for music, announcements, etc. The one-block area would be open as usual most of the time, with traffic, parking, alley use and the like remaining normal. For events, though, the street could easily be closed to traffic.
“Another portion of the project would upgrade portions of Second St. from Madison, a half-block each way (north and south) to the existing alleys. New street lights and sidewalks would be added, along with benches and alley improvements.
“The fly in this ointment, of course, is money. The architect who drew the project plans estimates the cost of the Madison St. work at around $550,000 and the Second St. work at about $240,000. The city will seek a $500,000 grant from the state OCRA office and, if it is granted, would have to produce a $100,000 (20 percent) match.
“Even if the grant is received and the match produced, the city would still need close to another $200,000 to reach the architect’s total estimate of a little over $790,000. Some aspects of the project could be cut or delayed, of course, but at this time everything is on hold until the word comes down from OCRA (a grant).
“It sure is nice to dream, though … while hoping!”